[8262S]

I am a newbie to radar detectors. I am not going to be doing a lot of integration or apps or anything like that.

I want something to hang under the rear view mirror and tell me if radar is up the road. I don’t want to buy power user features if I am not going to use them (and I am probably not). The most I will do is use it along with Waze on CarPlay.

Based on that is the R8 worth $250 over the R7.

I am seeing the R7 for $479 and a $25 discount, while the R8 is $699.

[xjet04]

Well, it is the latest and greatest. Besides what is improved internally, the mute/dim button is on the front of the R8 instead of on top on the R7. It's not the end of the world, but if you're using a blendmount under your mirror it is an inconvenience to have to pull down the front of the detector to reach the buttons on top.

[8262S]

Originally Posted by xjet04

Well, it is the latest and greatest. Besides what is improved internally, the mute/dim button is on the front of the R8 instead of on top on the R7. It's not the end of the world, but if you're using a blendmount under your mirror it is an inconvenience to have to pull down the front of the detector to reach the buttons on top.

Thanks I should have updated this to say I bought the R7. I didn’t want to pay for bleeding edge tech when the R7 is still a very high performing and well regarded detector.

The mute memory button is on the left side (which I used a lot the first several days…) and takes squeezing both sides of the detector between thumb and index finger. Not a huge deal.

Once programmed I am not sure I will ever touch the buttons on top. It seems like that is more of a stationary use, and not while driving.

I did get the specific Blend Mount for the R7 and it is awesome. Great fit and a very low profile mount in relation to the mirror.

[xjet04]

Yeah, I forgot the side vs top button arrangement. I’m loving my R8 and the Blendmount and mirror tap are excellent. I wasn’t sure about tackling the mirror tap on my own. I’m glad I gave it a try. Even though it took me longer than others, thanks to numerous YouTube videos and forum members I got it done.

[8262S]

Originally Posted by xjet04

Yeah, I forgot the side vs top button arrangement. I'm loving my R8 and the Blendmount and mirror tap are excellent. I wasn't sure about tackling the mirror tap on my own. I'm glad I gave it a try. Even though it took me longer than others, thanks to numerous YouTube videos and forum members I got it done.

My son is fearless when it comes to car repairs and mods. The tap was simple for him.

I routed the cable through the center split, under the detector hanger, and across the top of the detector.

Doing it that way the power cord is almost hidden. I have seen some cords hanging down from the side of the mirror trim cap and the center routine is a lot cleaner install.

[moonluv810]

Sorry, can't help to decide between R7 vs R8.
But I thought this might be useful in your consideration. I have an R7 with a remote. I mounted the remote on the top of the steering column in front of the dash cluster. It's super convenient that I can hit the mute button easily without fumbling trying to press a button on the radar unit. As an added bonus, the LEDs are right in front of my line of sight.

[8262S]

Originally Posted by moonluv810

Sorry, can't help to decide between R7 vs R8.
But I thought this might be useful in your consideration. I have an R7 with a remote. I mounted the remote on the top of the steering column in front of the dash cluster. It's super convenient that I can hit the mute button easily without fumbling trying to press a button on the radar unit. As an added bonus, the LEDs are right in front of my line of sight.

Is this it? Seems like a great idea. Not sure I want to hide the wires, but I guess that's where my fearless son comes in.

https://www.amazon.com/Uniden-RDA-HD.../dp/B07BBVC7JQ

[xjet04]

Originally Posted by moonluv810

Sorry, can't help to decide between R7 vs R8.
But I thought this might be useful in your consideration. I have an R7 with a remote. I mounted the remote on the top of the steering column in front of the dash cluster. It's super convenient that I can hit the mute button easily without fumbling trying to press a button on the radar unit. As an added bonus, the LEDs are right in front of my line of sight.

Does the remote require another cable that needs to be hidden?

[moonluv810]

Originally Posted by 8262S

Is this it? Seems like a great idea. Not sure I want to hide the wires, but I guess that's where my fearless son comes in.

https://www.amazon.com/Uniden-RDA-HDWKT-Detector-Hardwire-Button/dp/B07BBVC7JQ

That's the one.

[moonluv810]

Originally Posted by xjet04

Does the remote require another cable that needs to be hidden?

The remote has two cables coming out of it: one going to the radar unit and another for power.

I ran the cables under the dash, tapped the power from the cigarette lighter from the center console and tucked the radar cable along the weather stripping on the A-pillar. It virtually looks "stock".

[xjet04]

I think if I had the R7 I might give that a go? As of now I'm very pleased with my current setup.

[8262S]

The mute button on the side does not irritate me enough to go through all that. It certainly didn’t irritate me enough to spend another $250 on the R8.